'Phenomenal' coach inspires Steven Scott to double trap bronze

Olympic bronze medallist Steven Scott has revealed the key role played by London 2012 men's double trap winner Peter Wilson in helping to put him on the Rio medal podium.

Sussex-based Scott, 31, beat his Great Britain team-mate Tim Kneale 30-28 in the double trap bronze medal match at Deodoro, with Fehaid Aldeehani winning and becoming the first athlete competing under the International Olympic Committee flag to capture gold.

Scott and Kn eale both made the play-off clash following a sudden death elimination with Australian James Willett after a three-way tie for third in the semi-final.

Great Britain's Steven Scott celebrates winning a bronze medal in the men's double trap at the Rio Olympics

And Scott's work with the coach who helped turn Wilson into an Olympic champio n - Sheikh Ahmed Al Maktoum - reaped dividends.

"I was self-taught for the best part of 11 years, and after seeing Peter improve 10-fold from an average shooter to Olympic gold in two years with him, I just had to work with him," Scott said.

"I was a bit cheeky after London. I said 'Pete, if you are thinking about retiring, pretty please ask Sheikh Ahmed Al Maktoum if he will work with me.'

"He knew about me and the odd win here and there, and he said 'yes. I would be delighted'. Without doubt, it was one of the biggest things towards this medal.

"Part of our agreement is whatever he says or does, it can't be about his coaching tips, so he swore me to secrecy. He is a phenomenal coach - the best in the world.

"We spend a lot of time on the phone, but I can't go back and forth to Dubai every week, as much as I would love to.

"I started with air rifles aged nine, then turned 16 working at a shooting school, being the handyman, filling traps and that. My dad said 'if you love it, treat it like an apprenticeship'."

Scott, who is based in Battle, produced a maximum score to see off Kneale and give Britain a second shooting bronze medal of the Rio Games after Ed Ling finished third in the trap on Monday.

Scott was immaculate in wet and blustery conditions, while double trap world record holder Kneale missed two of his targets, before they embraced after Kneale's medal hopes had drifted off course.

"Both of us put a tremendous amount of hard work and effort into this, just into getting here alone, never mind shooting off for a medal. It is very emotional," Smith added.

"There is a little part of me that wanted him to win as well.

"I wanted to make the final and give myself a chance. I know I've got the ability to win. In terms of expectations, whether I came first or last, the important thing was to give it my all.

"There was a part of me that felt a bit guilty, and I didn't want to rub it in a team-mate's face. Although a minute ago, he was trying to kick me in the butt as I tried to do an interview! So I'm pretty sure he's got over it."

Smith has received considerable family support in Rio, and he said: "It is a little bit of an emotional story in that I went through a little bit of heartache a week and a half ago. My heart was broken ever so slightly.

"But on the back end of that, my family heard about it and they flew out to see me.

"That was just a massive emotional uplift, which felt amazing.

"My sister hasn't got a lot of money, but she (said) 'right, I am coming over on the plane as well,' and my other sister flew over from Australia.

"I am going to buy them more than a beer - I am taking them to a lovely steak restaurant before they fly out."